The U.S. cattle on feed rose, as did placements, in February and March. But continued high placements are unsustainable and many project a drop in placements which will result in shorter meat supplies later in summer. Recent rains in drought-stricken areas will also tighten numbers as more heifers are kept as replacements rather than feeders.

Friday, March 23, a congressional memo was released in the MF Global probe. The memo cited an email sent Oct. 28, 2011, by then-MF Global Assistant Treasurer Edith O’Brian. The email’s language suggests then-MF Global CEO Jon Corzine not only knew about the use of customer funds to back the group’s risky trades, but instructed transfers be made.

Tuesday, March 20 was the first day of spring. Traditionally, spring’s beginning has been celebrated in many cultures by giving thanks, prayers for kind growing seasons to come, and the sowing of first seeds. In the Occupy culture, the coming of spring was cause for protest.

Utah joined Iowa in legally telling camera-wielding anti-ag activists they are not welcome. March 20, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed HB 187 into law, making it illegal to film livestock operations without the permission of the owner.

Rural Californians are all fired up over a new fee. The state claims the fee is needed to continue providing fire protection to rural residents. Opponents are calling foul, however, saying it is an illegal and unfair tax that will do more harm than good.

Beef projections are expected to be slightly higher from February with prices getting stronger. Export is expected to remain unchanged, but domestic slaughter is expected to be low. Slight overall increase is small, but still well below numbers from past years.

Many amendments were suggested and shot down for Highway Bill S.1813. Two of the small handful that got through should make farmers and ranchers breathe a sigh of relief. The bill will no longer require commercial licenses for drivers of farm vehicles and will lift restrictions that might have interfered with key seasonal activities.

Cross your fingers; the Endangered Species Act (ESA) may be getting a much-needed reworking soon. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently submitted a list of proposed reforms to the aging ESA which may improve transparency, efficiency, and the local involvement of ranchers and farmers in listing proceedings.

A newly-released FDA study shows some encouraging trends in food safety and the battle against antibioticresistant bacteria. Not only does retail ground beef show lower contamination rates than poultry in many cases, but many of the bacterial contaminations found in beef are less resistant to antibiotics than those found in poultry.

The revelation that removing subsidies would actually increase calorie intake (even if on such a small scale) flies in the face of the popular “subsidies make Americans fat” argument.